Flow regulator



July 12, 1927.

F. w. HlRsT FLow REGULATOR Filed June 12. 1926 Patented July l2, 1927.`

i UNITED? STATES PATENT OFFICE.;

FREDERICK W. HIRST, EWINGTOWNSHIP, MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEYL FLOW REGULATOR.

Application filed .Tune 12,

The invention 'relates to a flow regulator adapted to control or regulate the flow, to settling tanks of any suitable construction, of waste liquids containing solid materials of any variety of composition that may constitute the waste products of an industrial plant when the recovery or separation of such solids from its liquid carrier is desiri `able or necessary.

' means of settling tanks, rectangular or conical in vertical cross section, in which the waste material is permitted to settle to the bottom and the liquid drawn off or allowed to overflow continuously at the top. The deposit of solid matter at the bottom of the settling tank can then be periodically removed.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of simple construction to control and `regulate the ilow of waste liquid lto such tanks to make it uniform rather than irregular, as would necessarily be the case if the liquid were passed directly'to the settling tanks.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig.V 1 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a. section on the line 3,-3 of Fig. 2 showing details of the Weir.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, tlie numeral 1 represents a receiving tank adapted to receive the waste liquid from part or all of the plant, depending upon its capacity, and from which it is adapted to flow through a conduit 2 and gate valve 3 to the control tank 4. A pair of weirs 5 provide an overflow outlet from tank 4 into chambers 6 and 7 which connect with pipes 8 and 9 leading to the same or different settling tanks (not shown).

In order to maintain an even rate of iow into the tank 4 and consequently into the settling tank therefrom, valve 3 is positioned 1926. serial No. 115,511.

The valve may be of any Vstandard construction, but I prefer the type shown in the f drawings commonly referred to as a Standard automatic sewer gate, in whichthe numeral l1 represents the gate, and 12 is an. actuating arm pivoted at 13 carryingadjust able weight 14. A linklconnects arm 12 with lever 16 which is pivoted atA 17 to the baflie wall 18. A float 20 issuspended by means'of-a rigid arm 21v from lever 16 near' pivot 17. Ihe large lever ratio, for in-l stance, l to 5of the arms of lever 16 renders the adjustment of valve 3, controlling the flow of liquid into the control tank 4, very sensitive. Float 20 is protected against eddies by' a second baffle 22 placed mmedi atelyin front of it. A liquid-level gauge 23 lis actuated by asecond float 24 and may be graduated to read'in inches or other `suitable units. The weirs 5 are formed with two plates 25 having slots V26 adapted to adjustably receive bolts 27 and carrying wing nuts 28 whereby the plates may be secured when they have been moved to their adjusted position. Each weir is provided with knife edges 30, and the notches 31 are of rectangular orV other standard cross sec-` tion to facilitate kcomputation of the fiow therethrough.

The valve mechanism as lshown and described hereinabove maybe used in con` nection with the regulation of various types of flow and is not limited for use in connection with settling tanks and waste liquids. It maybe used, for instance, in connection with a flow tending vto enter the regulator tank, such as Fig. 4, irregularly, for instance, at varying rates of speed or varying quantities, or leaving said tank at varying rates of speed or in varying quantities. In other Words, my valve mechanism may be employed for accurately maintaining a constant Water level; or to maintain such'level in any open receptacle when the discharge from the same is in variable quantities andv at different periods of time, as long as the supply going through the valve is adequateV to support the float at the desired level.

I claim: y

A flovv regulator comprising a receiving tank to which liquid is irregularly admitted; a vcontrol tank; a conduit connecting `said tanks; vmeans for maintaining the liquid level in said control tank substantially conetant, comprising a gate controlling the flow connected to said lever at a Short distance thioulgh said conduit, a pivoter). kactuating from itspivotecl end; :and a. Weir normally arm for said gate, a pair of spaced sball/les 1-11 positioned sli-ght'ly bellow the-level of said l0 said control tank, a. lever pivoted airone-end Valve, forming an outlet from saidcontrol 'to one .ofvsaid baliiesf and connected .at its- Atanfk...

other end to said actuating arm, and a float Y n nsaid control tank between said loaileS-and-F' f-' FREDERICK W. HIRST. 

